Brownbag series on nonprofit leadership offered

May 11, 1999

KALAMAZOO -- Nonprofit leaders will be able to converse with
experts on a variety of topics, including national trends, building
partnerships and innovative corporate philanthropy, through a
new series offered by Western Michigan University in collaboration
with the Calhoun County nonprofit community.

The Western Michigan Nonprofit Leadership Brownbag Series will
be an ongoing monthly noontime event designed to provide a forum
for nonprofit leaders and those interested in issues involving
nonprofits to exchange information and ideas. All session are
presented free of charge.

The inaugural events in the series will focus on "Nonprofits
in the New Millennium" and the first session of the series
will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, May 13, at the
United Arts Council Discovery Theatre in Battle Creek.

That session will feature Dr. Mark I. Wilson, research associate
and associate professor of geography/urban planning at Michigan
State University, who will address the unique challenges facing
Michigan nonprofits as a result of "Economic Conditions for
Nonprofits." Wilson, who is also director of the Alliance
for Nonprofit Development, will talk about the changing economic
climate and how it will impact nonprofit operations. An interactive
discussion period will follow his presentation.

The second session in the series will feature WMU President
Elson S. Floyd, who will talk about "Building Partnerships"
from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, June 15, also at the United
Arts Council Discovery Theatre.

Floyd, whose presidency has been noted for its efforts to strengthen
ties between the University and the municipalities it serves,
will share his insights on building partnerships communities,
governments, nonprofits and educational institutions. An interactive
discussion will follow.

Additional workshops, including one on national trends among
nonprofits and the other on innovative corporate philanthropy,
will be scheduled for the fall.

"By bringing faculty and nonprofit leaders together, we
will increase the understanding of the challenges that face today's
nonprofits," says Dr. James C. Petersen, associate dean of
WMU's College of Arts and Sciences. "It's a good chance for
faculty who teach about nonprofits to be brought up to date with
the changes that are going on in the nonprofit sector. There are
issues that nonprofit managers deal with today that they didn't
have to deal with ten years ago."

The workshops are coordinated by Dr. Wendy S. Zabava Ford,
WMU associate professor of communication, and Catherine Christ
Lucas of the Nonprofit Alliance. While the sessions are free,
individuals interested in attending are asked to reserve a spot
by calling Lucas at (616) 968-8166, ext. 548; by fax to (616)
968-3284; or by email to clucas@willard.lib.mi.us. Participants
are encouraged to bring brownbag lunches.

The Nonprofit Leadership Brownbag Series is sponsored by Western
Michigan University, with the support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation's
Building Bridges Between Practice and Knowledge in Nonprofit Management
program, and by the NonProfit Alliance, the Battle Creek Community
Foundation, Kellogg Community College, the Miller Foundation,
the United Arts Council of Calhoun County, United Way of Greater
Battle Creek, Volunteer and Information Services, and the W.K.
Kellogg Foundation.

For more information, contact Lucas at (616) 968-8166, ext.
548; or Ford at (616) 387-3109.